Women football managers are a bit like the other side kicking the ball out when someone's crocked.

Women football managers are a bit like the other side kicking the ball out when someone's crocked.

Everybody applauds the idea, but secretly players want to belt upfield and cash in while the stricken player writhes.

On the surface, there's a far greater acceptance of females in the game than 20 years ago, when sniggers accompanied Cherie Lunghi on TV as The Manageress winning FA Cups and championships while jab-bing a manicured nail at a stroppy centre-forward.

But lady bosses in 2009? How many do you know of?

In fact, 77 per cent of mums have a hands-on-role in their children's football, according to the FA, who are promoting the idea of women coaches (see right).

Juliet Wilkinson is one of those being encouraged to take a Grade One FA coaching badge.

Ms Wilkinson is one of the three female 'managers' at Kensington Dragons, where they work as double-act with the coach to make the club an outstanding success story in west London football.

Wilkinson admits she's just got the hang of the offside rule, but also insists she plays a vital part in getting three-points-onthe-board.

"An awful lot of our players don't see their parents too often," she explained. "It might not seem very football-like, but a lot of our boys need a mum-like figure.

"A word here, as well as knowing what's worrying them, because I've also got three children, seems to work wonders on occasions."

Wilkinson, Carmel McLoughlin and Angela Thompson-Smith are usually the ones toting the plasters, chocolate and spare shinpads to a game.

But they're also willing to spit a bit of Sir Alex Ferguson-like bile at refs and opposing bosses when emotions run high.

A couple of weeks ago, Dragons U11s faced a team "that were absolutely massive," said Wilkinson.

"It looked as if we were playing a side years older than ourselves. I stomped on to the pitch at half-time demanding to see their registration cards. I was forced to creep off again when their manager proved the tallest boy on the pitch was also the youngest."

But whereas she used to be known as 'the woman' to her squad, Wilkinson knew the partnership had borne fruit on a grey, damp evening last week when she turned up for training.

"Out of the dark, came these three small boys all smiling," she explained. " 'Good to see you, Juliet' -- they said. It made all the effort worthwhile just at that moment."